Citizens Should Avoid North Platte River After Mills Sewage Spill

People are being asked to avoid all recreational activities on a stretch of the North Platte River following Monday's sewage spill in the Town of Mills.

The stretch of river extends from the SW Wyoming Boulevard bridge downstream, or east, to the Natrona County/Converse County line. That's according to a joint statement from the Town, the Casper-Natrona County Health Department and the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.

Mills officials on Monday discovered the leak and found that it came from a sewer line. Per the statement, the damaged line was shut down and sewage was rerouted.

However, an unknown quantity of sewage had already reached Casper Creek, which is a tributary of the North Platte River.

The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality is working with Mills to remediate the are of the leak. Water is being tested in an effort to determine the extent of the contamination.

The DEQ on Tuesday notified the Casper-Natrona County Health Department regarding the discharge and potential health risk.

Activities that should be avoided on the North Platte River include swimming, wading, kayaking, canoeing, jet skiing and fishing.

Irrigating lawns or gardens with water from the river, or allowing dogs to swim in the river, may also pose a risk to human health.

Exposure to untreated sewage can cause diarrheal illness and vomiting as well as viral infections, such as Hepatitis A.